The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[+]

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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) –
A press conference was held today during which the director of the
Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., announced the
Holy Father's wish to convene a Consistory for the creation of new
cardinals on 14 and 15 February 2015. He also announced two other
important appointments: a meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the
reform of the Roman Curia (9 to 11 February) and a meeting of the
College of Cardinals (12 to 13 February) to discuss matters relating
to the reorganisation of the Holy See.

Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) –
The Holy Father has sent a message to Manuel Pugal Vidal, minister
for the environment of the Republic of Peru and president of the 20th
Conference of States Party to the United Nations Framework Agreement
on Climate Change, held in Lima, Peru from 1 to 12 December. The Pope
assured the organisers and participants of his closeness and
encouragement “so that your work may be carried out during these
days with an open and generous spirit”, and he remarked that the
current debate affects all of humanity, in particular the poorest and
future generations. “It is a grave ethical and moral
responsibility”.

“The consequences of environmental
change, which are already dramatically felt in many states,
especially the islands of the Pacific, remind us of the grave
consequences of mismanagement and inaction. The time for seeking
global solutions is running out. We can find suitable solutions only
if we act together and in agreement. There exists, however, a clear,
definitive and unpostponable ethical imperative to act”. Pope
Francis thus emphasised that an “effective battle against global
warming will be possible only through a responsible collective
response that sets aside particular interests and behaviours and
develops free from political and economic pressures. A collective
response that is also capable of overcoming distrust and promoting a
culture of solidarity, encounter and dialogue; capable of
demonstrating our responsibility for protecting the planet and the
human family”.

Finally, before imparting his blessing
to all the participants and the citizens of the countries
represented, the Pontiff expressed his wish that this Conference and
subsequent meetings on climate change put into effect “a dialogue
imbued with … the values of justice, respect and equality”, and
give rise to fruitful decisions and initiatives, in the service of
all humanity.

Vatican City, 11 December 2014 (VIS) –
“Those of you who work in the field of youth pastoral ministry,
carry out valuable work for the Church. The young need this service:
both adults and other young people of mature faith who accompany them
on their path, helping them to find the road that leads to Christ”,
writes the Pope in his message to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president
of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and to the participants in
the 4th European Congress on Youth Pastoral Ministry, promoted by the
same dicastery and in collaboration with the Council of Episcopal
Conferences of Europe, held in Rome from 11 to 13 December on the
theme: “A young Church, witness to the joy of the Gospel”.

“This pastoral ministry consists of
walking with them, accompanying them personally in the complex and at
times difficult contexts in which they are immersed”, he continues.
“Youth pastoral ministry must engage with the questions posed by
the youth of today, and from this starting point, initiate a real and
honest dialogue to bring Christ into their lives. And a true dialogue
in this sense can be achieved by those who experience a personal
relationship with the Lord Jesus, which then overflows into their
relationships with their brethren”.

The Pope acknowledges in his message
that much remains to be done, and encourages the participants never
to tire of announcing the Gospel, with their life and their word,
since “Europe needs to rediscover it!”. He also encourages them
to consider the current situation of young Europeans through the eyes
of Christ. “He teaches us to see not only the challenges and
problems, but also to recognise the many seeds of love and hope
dispersed across the continent, that has given to the Church as great
number of saints, many of whom were young. Let us not forget that we
are given the task of sowing, but it is God Who makes these seeds
grow”.

“While you sow the Word of the Lord
in this vast field that is European youth, you have the opportunity
of bearing witness to the reasons for the hope that is within you,
with gentleness and respect. You are able to help the young to
realise that faith is not opposed to reason, and thus to accompany
them as they become joyful agents for the evangelisation of their
peers”. Pope Francis concludes his message by remarking that “youth
pastoral ministry is required to offer to the young a path of
vocational discernment, to prepare them to follow Jesus on the way of
conjugal and family life, or that of special consecration in the
service of God's Kingdom”.